Powerful PSD local leader proposed as Romania's development minister

Romania’s Social Democratic Party (PSD) has proposed Paul Stanescu to replace Sevil Shhaideh as development minister and deputy prime minister in the Mihai Tudose cabinet. He will manage the ministry with the largest budget in Romania, which distributes money from the national budget to city halls and county councils. Stanescu, the head of PSD Olt, is one of the party leaders with great influence in the party, reports local Hotnews.ro. He was the president of the Olt County Council for eight years. In December 2016 he was elected senator. Stanescu also managed to squeeze his brother on the parliamentary lists. Alexandru Stanescu is now MP. His wife, who was an elementary school teacher in the village of Visina, is now adviser in the Education Ministry. His father was mayor in Visina until he was 75. Paul Stanescu is considered one of the most powerful local leaders in PSD, with a major influence at the central level. He helped Liviu Dragnea, along with other PSD leaders in the south, take over the party's leadership. However, his relationship with the party leader has cooled in recent months, according to several sources in the party. Romania’s ruling party names three new ministers editor@romania-insider.com (photo source: PSD Olt Facebook page)